Derbyshire Conservatives have written to the Secretary of State for Education demanding an end to the Labour Government’s ongoing review into four urgently needed new free schools in the county – a review that includes 40 other schools across the country and has now dragged on for almost a year leaving local families, schools and Council officers in limbo.
The four schools at risk are:
- The Avenue CE Primary, Wingerworth
- Bolsover 6th Form (North Derbyshire University Academy), Bolsover
- Infinity Park Spencer Academy, near Sinfin, South Derbyshire
- New House Farm CE Primary, near Mickleover, South Derbyshire
Former Conservative MPs Lee Rowley, Mark Fletcher and Heather Wheeler had campaigned locally for the four schools, supported by local Conservative Councillors. All four projects were approved and secured funding under the last Conservative Government after going through a rigorous process. They are backed by strong business cases and widespread community support, and are essential to meeting rising demand for school places, particularly in areas of significant housing growth.
In the case of Bolsover 6th Form, the school has the potential to transform aspirations in one of Derbyshire’s most deprived areas, radically improving the life chances of local young people.
Cllr Alex Dale, Leader of the Opposition at Derbyshire County Council, said:
“Parents need certainty, our officers need to plan properly, and young people in places like Bolsover, North East Derbyshire and South Derbyshire need the opportunities these schools will bring. Instead, we have a Government that has spent almost a year dithering, leaving communities completely in limbo. Enough is enough! It’s time to conclude this review and get on with building them.”
The Conservative Group has also submitted a formal motion to the next meeting of Derbyshire County Council, calling on the Council as a whole to back their approach, endorse the case for all four schools and press the Government to make a decision without any further delay.
Cllr Martyn Ford, Conservative Councillor for Etwall and Findern, who is seconding the motion, added:
“Residents in my area are quite rightly asking what on earth is going on. These schools were approved, they’re needed, and people want to see progress. I’m particularly worried that, because of developer timescales and legal agreements, some of these projects could now be at risk of ever happening at all if the Government doesn’t get on with them. Derbyshire can’t afford to miss out.”
NOTES:
A copy of the letter to the Secretary of State is below:
Dear Secretary of State,
Urgent Need for a Decision on Derbyshire’s Proposed New Free Schools
I am writing to you in my capacity as Leader of the Opposition on Derbyshire County Council, on behalf of the Conservative Group, to raise our deep concern about the prolonged delay in the Government’s review of new free schools and in particular the impact this uncertainty is having on four urgently needed schools here in Derbyshire.
The schools in question are:
- The Avenue CE Primary, Wingerworth
- Bolsover 6th Form (North Derbyshire University Academy), Bolsover
- Infinity Park Spencer Academy, near Sinfin, South Derbyshire
- New House Farm CE Primary, near Mickleover, South Derbyshire
These projects were approved following a rigorous process and secured funding under the previous Conservative Government. They are backed by strong business cases and widespread community support. They are also vital to meeting growing demand for school places, particularly in areas of significant new housing growth.
In the case of Bolsover 6th Form, the project has the potential to raise aspiration in one of our most deprived and underserved areas, transforming opportunities and life chances for local young people. To allow this project to be delayed or cancelled would be an unforgivable blow to a community that has already waited far too long for this provision.
The continued delay, now almost a year, creates huge and unnecessary uncertainty for Derbyshire families, for schools, and for our own officers trying to plan for pupil place provision. It also risks forcing the County Council to shoulder the burden of additional places ourselves at a time of unprecedented budget pressures, effectively cost shunting from central to local government.
We therefore urge you to:
- Conclude the review without further delay.
- Provide clarity and certainty for Derbyshire families, pupils, schools, and the Council.
- Honour the original commitment to deliver all four Derbyshire schools.
Derbyshire has a strong and urgent case for all four of these schools. We call on you to make the right decision and give local communities the assurance they deserve by pressing ahead with these vital projects without any further delay.
Yours sincerely,
Alex Dale
A copy of the text of the motion for Full Council is as follows:
Background/supporting information:
The Government has cast a huge shadow of doubt over four desperately needed new schools in Derbyshire (along with 40 other schools nationally), putting on hold any further progress and placing them under review for almost a year, despite their approval and funding having been secured by the previous Government.
The four schools are:
- The Avenue CE Primary, Wingerworth
- Bolsover 6th Form (North Derbyshire University Academy), Bolsover
- Infinity Park Spencer Academy, near Sinfin, South Derbyshire
- New House Farm CE Primary, near Mickleover, South Derbyshire
These projects were approved following a rigorous process, backed by strong business cases, widespread community support, and hard work from our own Council officers, former local Conservative MPs and Councillors. They are vital to meeting the growing demand for pupil places, particularly on new housing estates, offering choice for parents, and preventing significant pressures on existing schools. And in the case of the Bolsover 6th Form, approval could significantly raise aspiration in a deprived and underserved area and radically improve the life chances of local teenagers.
Having promised a decision several months ago, any further delay to this already very protracted process or cancellation of the projects would be a huge slap in the face to the communities expecting these schools. It would also risk forcing the County Council to shoulder the financial burden ourselves at a time of significant budget pressures, effectively shunting costs from central to local government.
The Conservative Group has recently written again to the Secretary of State for Education to:
- Urge the Government to conclude the review immediately and honour the original commitment to deliver these schools.
- Highlight the strong local community support for the projects and the solid business cases, based on significant demand for additional places.
- Demand clarity and certainty for Derbyshire families, pupils, schools and the County Council itself.
Motion to be proposed:
That Council:
Notes with concern the Government’s continued dithering and delay over their review of Derbyshire’s four proposed free schools, which has created hugely unnecessary uncertainty for local families and for the Council’s role in pupil place planning.
Reaffirms its strong support for all four projects, recognising their importance in meeting local demand and providing vital school places.
Endorses the action taken by the Conservative Group in writing to the Secretary of State and publicly calls on the Government to conclude the review, commit to all four projects and get on with building them to ensure local families can access good local school places.
